32 



THE POPPY FAMILY. 



of the leaves few and narrow, and flowers 

 rather small, of a pale red, often with 

 a dark spot. Filaments of the stems di- 

 lated as in the rough P. Capsule oblong, 

 contracted at the base, bearing, espe- 

 cially towards the top, a few stiff hairs 

 or bristles, more erect from the base 

 than in the rough P. 



Stations and geographical range about 

 the same as those of the field P., but 

 much less common in Britain and cen- 

 tral Europe. Fl. summer. 



Fig. 39. 



II. MECONOPSIS. MECONOPSIS. 



Ovary ovoid, with a short but distinct style, and a slightly dilated 

 stigma of 4 to 6 rays. Capsule opening at the top in as many short 

 valves, the placentas inside lining the cavity, but not projecting to the 

 centre. 



A small genus, containing besides the European species, a few others, 

 from central Asia and north-western America. 



1. Welsh Meconopsis. Meconopsis cambrica, Vig. (Eig. 40.) 

 (Papaver, Eng. Bot. t. 66. Welsh Poppy.) 



Stock perennial, forming, when old, 

 large tufts, with thick, tapering roots. 

 Stems erect, about a foot high. Leaves 

 on long stalks, pale green and slightly 

 hairy, pinnate, the segments distinct or 

 slightly decurrent along the leafstalk, 

 ovate or lanceolate, toothed or pinnately 

 lobed. Flowers rather large, pale yellow, 

 on long peduncles. Capsules narrow 

 ovate or oblong, glabrous. 



In rocky woods and shady 'places, in 



the hilly districts of western Europe, 



from Spain to Ireland, Wales, and a few 



2^ / , of the western counties of England. Fl. 



summer. 



